The warning was issued after a magnitude 7.3 quake struck offshore at 5:18 p.m. today, swaying buildings across much of Japan.

There were no immediate reports of serious damage but two people were reportedly hurt.

After the quake, authorities issued a warning that a tsunami potentially as high as two metres could hit.

Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi, reported that a tsunami of one metre hit at 6:02 p.m.

About two hours after the quake struck, the tsunami warning was cancelled.

Photos

People stranded at Sendai railway station in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture after trains were halted following a strong earthquake that struck off the coast of northeastern Japan Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. (Kyodo News)